Todd Akin (Photo: Facebook)

Embattled Congressman Todd Akin's campaign manager (and son) Perry Akin released a statement saying a new Rasmussen Reports poll showing that the elder Mr. Akin went from leading the Missouri Senate race to running 10 points behind his rival, incumbent Democratic Senator Claire McCaskill after his controversial comments on "legitimate rape" is actually bad news for Ms. McCaskill. The younger Mr. Akin's rationale for this interpretation of the poll numbers is that Ms. McCaskill should be beating Mr. Akin by a lot more than 48 percent to 38 percent in the aftermath of his rape-remark firestorm.

"The fact that Claire McCaskill is only polling at 48% after 72 hours of constant negative attacks on Todd Akin shows just how weak she is. If she can't break fifty percent after a week like this, Democrats should ask Claire to step down," the Akin campaign's statement said. 

Perry Akin also confidently declared that "Todd is in this race to win" and vowed "we will close this gap and win in November."

Interestingly, Ms. McCaskill also dismissed the Rasmussen poll.

"Rasmussen poll made me laugh out loud. If anyone believes that, I just turned 29. Sneaky stuff," she wrote on Twitter.

Prior to the rape flap, Mr. Akin had a slim 1 percent lead over Ms. McCaskill. A poll conducted by Public Policy Polling on Monday night, the first business day following Mr. Akin's widely discussed interview appearance, showed he still maintained his slight advantage in spite of the controversy. According to The Hill, Democrats are dubious of the Rasmussen poll because they believe "Rasmussen has a conservative bias and is in cahoots with GOP party leadership in trying to pressure Akin out of the race.

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GOP leaders have publicly pushed for Mr. Akin to withdraw from the Missouri Senate race. Mr. Akin let the initial deadline for him to withdraw pass and has been defiantly fund-raising based on the fact that he's "still standing" amid the fallout from his remarks. However, there is still a possibility Mr. Akin could remove himself from the race and make way for another Republican candidate.

Todd Akin (Photo: Facebook)

For embattled Missouri congressman and Senate candidate Todd Akin, the reverse of the old rap song is apparently true and more problems = more money. According to Mr. Akin's website he has raised over $10,000 from supporters after declaring his intention to stay in the Senate race in the wake of a massive controversy over comments he made on "legitimate rape," pregnancy and abortion.

"Donations are pouring in. Thank you for standing up against the liberal elite," Mr. Akin wrote on Twitter last night.

A counted on Mr. Akin's website said, as of this writing, Mr. Akin had raised $10,638 since beginning a "still standing" campaign following his remarks. On Twitter last night, Mr. Akin said his goal was hitting "$10k to fight the liberal elite." He also posted a series of messages blaming the "liberal elite" for driving a "a lot of negativity" his way and for pushing around and otherwise intimidating those in the pro-life movement.

"I apologized but the liberal media is trying to make me drop out," he wrote.

Mr. Akin may have exceeded his initial $10,000 goal but he still has a long way to go to compete against his Democratic opponent, Senator Claire McCaskill. As an incumbent, even before this controversy, Ms. McCaskill already had far more money in her campaign war chest than Mr. Akin, who has lost the support of the Republican Party. According to the latest numbers, Ms. McCaskill has $3,465,846 at her disposal compared to Mr. Akin's $531,559.

Todd Akin, obstetrics expert. (Photo: YouTube)

Congressman Todd Akin would like his supporters to tell his opponent that they still back his quest for a Senate seat in Missouri in spite of the massive controversy over his recent statements on "legitimate rape," pregnancy and abortion. The only problem is, Mr. Akin had a little trouble properly spelling the petition he posted online asking for help against his opponent, incumbent Democratic Senator Claire McCaskill.

"Tell McCaskill That Your Standing With Todd Akin!" declared the misspelled headline on the web page for the petition Mr. Akin launched this afternoon. 

Mr. Akin is sticking with his Senate bid against the wishes of Republican Party leadership, which he estimates has cost his campaign coffers "many millions of dollars." He is hoping to make up for this with "grassroots" support and donations. In his petition, Mr. Akin makes his pitch to prospective  supporters and asks them to accept his apologies and "chip-in $3 as a sign of support of my continued candidacy?"

Todd Akin (Photo: Facebook)

Embattled congressman Todd Akin won't be withdrawing from Missouri's Senate race despite calls from leaders within his party for him to step aside and make room for another candidate after his comments about "legitimate rape" and abortion caused a massive controversy. Mr. Akin made his intention to stick with his Senate bid clear on a pair of radio interviews this afternoon where he admitted that he "misspoke one word," but also accused his detractors of having "an overreaction."

Mr. Akin made his first radio appearance of the day on Mike Huckabee's radio show, the same venue where he went on the air yesterday and proclaimed his intention to stay in the Senate race. Since then, calls from inside the GOP mounted for Mr. Akin to end his bid and reports emerged that he would indeed withdraw. This afternoon, Mr. Akin assured Mr. Huckabee that's not his plan.

"I want to make things absolutely clear and that is, we are going to continue with this race for the U.S. Senate. We've given it a lot of thought," he said.

Mr. Akin acknowledged he has lost the support of the GOP, but he said he believes "defense of the unborn and deep respect for life" is missing from much of today's political discourse and he believes his supporters want him to continue taking up this cause.

"The party people said, 'When you win the primary, then we'll be with you.' Well they were with us, then I said one word and one sentence on one day and everything changed," said Mr. Akin. "But, you know, I tell you, I have been so encouraged by good friends who are closer than brothers and I realize now that there are a lot of other bravehearts that don't fit into the political parties exactly. And I believe the defense of the unborn and deep respect for life, which underlie all of America, those are important parts of who we are and the'yre not things to run away from."

Mr. Akin said the outcry against him "does seem like a bit of an overreaction" in light of the face he "hadn't done anything that was morally or ethically wrong" other than "to get a word in the wrong place." Though he described "the institutional side of the party" as "lined up" against him, Mr. Akin, who was leading in the polls against his incumbent Democratic opponent, Claire McCaskill, prior to the fiasco, said he has "grassroots" support he thinks he can still win.

"I do receive continuing calls from other congressmen and people who are very supportive of what we're trying to do," Mr. Akin said. "Is there a matter of some justice there? That I misspoke one word, in one sentence in one day and, all of a sudden, overnight everybody decides, well Akin can't possibly win. Well, you know, I don't agree with that. The America that I know, the people that I know in Missouri, when you make a mistake--nobody expects us to get every word perfectly."

A few minutes after wrapping up his interview with Mr. Huckabee, Mr. Akin made an appearance on Dana Loesch's radio show where he gave his take on how the controversy began. Mr. Akin blamed the situation on his "misplacing of the word legitimate" in the interview where he suggested women's bodies can avoid pregnancy in cases of "legitimate rape." Instead of saying rapists are "legitimate," Mr. Akin said he was trying to note some accusations of rapes are illegitimate.

"People had been hurt because they had assumed--that the 'legitimate' referred to rapists. There isn't any legitimate rapist, none whatsoever, they're horrible criminals," Mr. Akin explained. "There's nothing legitimate about the rapist, but, rather, I was putting that in the wrong place to point that there were people who make false claims."

Mr. Akin didn't explain how his placement of the word "legitimate" affected his claim that women's bodies have "ways" to avoid pregnancy after a sexual encounter. He also said a lack of media savvy contributed to his troubles.

"I wasn't really acclimated to the nature of the new media environment that we find ourselves in," said Mr. Akin.

Despite having told Mr. Huckabee how confident he was about his "grassroots" supporters making up for his loss of party backing, Mr. Akin conceded to Ms. Loesch that he's "a little short on money" and needs donors to "help us here."

"It seems that we have lost some Republican support here, in terms of many millions of dollars," he said.

Though he may have some newfound financial woes, Mr. Akin reiterated the fact he's not giving up on his Senate bid and thinks he has what it takes to win.

"We are not getting out of this race. I am in this race for the long haul and we're going to win it," he said to Ms. Loesch.

Todd Akin, obstetrics expert. (Photo: YouTube)

Missouri Congressman, costume enthusiast and (for now) Republican Senate candidate Todd Akin became notorious for his rather interesting theories on the female reproductive system this weekend, but his disastrous television interview isn't the first time he's shared his unique hypotheses on how babies are made. At a Tea Party event in Branson last year, Mr. Akin and his wife, Lulli, gave a detailed explanation of how they came together and made their six babies.

Mr. Akin began by explaining how he met Lulli, whom he repeatedly described as "not the sort of girl I would date" while playing tennis.

"She was not the sort of girl that I would ever date because I knew that I would find one of those in a bar and dancing and drinking and stuff like that

Eventually, the pair overcame their differences and, after a few months, he began thinking "she'd make a good mom." The rest is history.

"Lulli has blessed me with six children. Lulli keeps telling me it was God that did it, but Lulli was--there's an agency that's involved here," he said.

Lulli responded to her husband's discussion of her "agency" and heavenly intervention when their children came into this world with a more graphic description of her birthing experience.

"Just through my womb and you're home," she said.

The candidate assured her the audience needed no further explanation.

"They understand how that part works," Mr. Akin said.

Watch Mr. Akin explaining how he and his wife made their babies below. If that's not enough Akin action for you, the full version of his speech at the Branson Tea Party event is here.

Todd Akin (Photo: Facebook)

A new poll might explain why Congressman Todd Akin isn't heeding the wishes of Republican Party leaders and dropping out of the Missouri Senate race following the firestorm over his comments on "legitimate rape." According to the latest numbers from Public Policy Polling, Mr. Akin still maintains the same slim one percent lead over his opponent, incumbent Democratic Senator Claire McCaskill," that he enjoyed prior to the controversy over his suggestion rape doesn't lead to pregnancy because "the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down."

In the aftermath of his remarks, which were made in a local television interview that aired Sunday, Mitt Romney denounced Mr. Akin's comments and Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus told CNN he wanted the congressman to "step aside and let someone else run" for the Senate seat. Despite his detractors and conflicting reports of his demise, Mr. Akin showed signs he was staying in his race against Ms. McCaskill. He created an advertisement asking for "forgiveness" and he launched a fundraising campaign touting his refusal to give up the fight.

Public Policy Polling surveyed voters on Mr. Akin between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. last night. The single day of polling is less substantive than the conditions the pollster normally operates under, and thus the results can't fully be touted until additional information comes in.

He has until this evening to withdraw in time for Republicans in Missouri to select another Senate candidate without a court order.

Todd Akin (Photo: Facebook)

Missouri Congressman and Republican Senate candidate Todd Akin appeared on Mike Huckabee's radio show this afternoon, his first media appearance since a TV interview where he said women cannot get pregnant from "legitimate rape." Mr. Akin, whose voice seemed to waver at times, admitted he made "a couple of serious mistakes" with his comments, but he vowed to stay in his Senate race.

"I've really made a couple of serious mistakes here that were wrong and I need to apologize for those....Rape is never legitimate, it's an evil act," Mr. Akin said. "What I said was ill-conceived, and it was wrong and, for that, I apologize....I've even known some women who have been raped and I know that is a terrible, terrible thing....I also know that people do become pregnant from rape. I didn't mean to imply that that wasn't the case."

With a massive firestorm resulting from Mr. Akin's remarks, many have suggested he should end his campaign against incumbent Democratic Senator Claire McCaskill. However, despite acknowledging he made a "very serious error," Mr. Akin said he still believes the people of Missouri need him to put "some sanity back" in Congress.

"Well, I don't know that I'm the only person in public office who's suffered from foot-in-mouth disease here. And this was a very, very serious error, on the other hand, there are so many good people in Missouri who nominated me and they understood my heart," Mr. Akin said explaining that it is his goal to improve America's "terrible economic condition. "I feel just as strong as ever that my background and ability will be a big asset in replacing Claire McCaskill and putting some sanity back in what's going on in our government."

Mr. Akin, who was ahead in the polls prior to the "legitimate rape" flap, told Mr. Huckabee "there's a lot of work that has to be done" in the Senate.

"The good people of Missouri nominated me and I'm not a quitter," he said. "By the grace of God, we're going to win this race. To quote the great John Paul Jones, 'I've not yet begun to fight.'"

Mr. Akin also said he thinks the "people from Missouri that elected me know that I'm not perfect." Though multiple prominent Republicans have called for him to drop out of the Senate race, Mr. Akin said he hasn't personally heard from any party leaders asking him to give up.

"When you make a mistake, what you need to do is tell people you're sorry," said Mr. Akin. "Just because somebody made a mistake doesn't make them useless."

Debbie Wasserman Schultz (Photo: Twitter)

Yesterday, Todd Akin, a Republican congressman and Senate candidate in Missouri, sparked a controversy when he suggested women can't become pregnant from "legitimate rape." Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman-Schultz responded with an email to supporters this morning attempting to connect Mr. Akin's comments to Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan.

"Akin's choice of words isn't the real issue here. The real issue is a Republican party -- led by Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan -- whose policies on women and their health are dangerously wrong," Ms. Wasserman-Schultz wrote. 

Mr. Akin made his "legitimate rape" remark when discussing his stance on abortion in cases where rape leads to a pregnancy on a local interview show.

"It seems to me, from what I understand from doctors, that’s really rare,” Mr. Akin said. “If it’s a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down. But let’s assume that maybe that didn’t work or something: I think there should be some punishment, but the punishment ought to be of the rapist, and not attacking the child.”

After the comment caused an uproar Mr. Akin quickly issued a statement saying, "it's clear that I misspoke in this interview." Romney campaign spokeswoman Amanda Henneberg also made clear the Republican presidential ticket doesn't agree with Mr. Akin's comments.

"Gov. Romney and Congressman Ryan disagree with Mr. Akin's statement, and a Romney-Ryan administration would not oppose abortion in instances of rape," she said.

Ms. Wasserman-Schultz doesn't want to let the Romney campaign off that easily.

"What do Romney and Ryan think of Akin's latest statement? They've been trying to distance themselves from it--but Congressman Ryan has already partnered with Akin on a whole host of issues that restrict women's ability to make their own health care decisions," wrote Ms. Wasserman-Schultz. "This kind of 'leadership' is dangerously wrong for women -- and I can't sit by and watch as these out of touch Republicans like Mitt Romney, Paul Ryan, and Todd Akin continue to roll back women's rights."

Read her full message below.

"Friend --

In a year that has brought us no shortage of stunningly backward statements from Republicans on issues affecting women's health, the GOP Senate nominee from Missouri may have just taken the cake.

This morning, Rep. Todd Akin, explaining his opposition to abortion even in cases of rape, said that victims of "legitimate rape" don't get pregnant because "the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down."

What exactly, Rep. Akin, is an "illegitimate" rape? And what are these unnamed "ways" women have of avoiding pregnancy after being (legitimately) raped?

Now, Akin's choice of words isn't the real issue here. The real issue is a Republican party -- led by Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan -- whose policies on women and their health are dangerously wrong.

I'm outraged at the Republicans trying to take women back to the dark ages -- if you agree, join me in taking a stand for women.

Really, it's deeply concerning that Republicans continue to support legislation that is, quite literally, dangerous for women.

Mitt Romney famously says he would "get rid of" federal funding for Planned Parenthood if he had the chance. His running mate, Paul Ryan, was one of more than 200 Republican cosponsors of a piece of legislation that would have narrowed the definition of rape.

Can you imagine -- the same Republican House that refuses to pass a jobs bill jumped at the opportunity to make life harder for victims of rape?

And what do Romney and Ryan think of Akin's latest statement? They've been trying to distance themselves from it -- but Congressman Ryan has already partnered with Akin on a whole host of issues that restrict women's ability to make their own health care decisions.

This kind of "leadership" is dangerously wrong for women -- and I can't sit by and watch as these out of touch Republicans like Mitt Romney, Paul Ryan, and Todd Akin continue to roll back women's rights.

It's time for us to move forward -- not back -- on women's rights. Take a stand for women now:

http://my.democrats.org/Stand-Up-for-Women

Thanks,

Debbie

Debbie Wasserman Schultz
Chair
Democratic National Committee"

MD Rabbi Alam (Photo: MD4MO.org)

A candidate running for Secretary of State in Missouri is at the center of a controversy over comments he once made about the Jews and 9/11. MD Rabbi Alam has a website trumpeting his run for office and describing himself as "National Chairman" of the "US National Democratic Party Asian American Caucus," but sources with the DNC say claims of his involvement with the party were greatly exaggerated.

Yesterday, the conservative news site Washington Free Beacon published a report revealing comments Mr. Alam made in 2009 on the online discussion board Topix.com. Mr. Alam wrote a post linking to the 9/11 conspiracy film Loose Change and asking several questions about the terrorist attack.

"Few question to my readers, Why 9/11 was a official holidy [sic] for all jewish people worked in the the WTC Who can tell me how many of the Jewish people died on the 9/11 tragedy?" Mr. Alam wrote. "Finally, who can tell me why there was a closed-end security and dog squad was implaced at the lower level of the WTC just a block before the 9/11?"

Prior to posing his questions, Mr. Alam included a statement indicating the answers were "a big yes from my own understanding and own judgement."

Mr. Alam told The Politicker his statements were simply questions generated by the film. He still would like answers.

"I just posted that according to Loose Change," he said. "Where can somebody tell me was there a Jewish holiday on that day?"

Loose Change was released in mid-2005 by a man named Dylan Avery who was 21-years-old and working as a waiter at Red Lobster at the time. Since its initial release Mr, Avery has made multiple edits of the film removing some claims that have been resoundingly debunked.

The Free Beacon report repeated Mr. Alam's claim that he chairs the National Democratic Party Asian American Caucus and described it as a "a Democratic National Committee-sponsored organization that liaises with Asian minorities" based on a page on the Democratic party website. However, a source with the DNC told The Politicker the site includes user generated content made by people who want to form their own groups.

Mr. Alam did not cite any specific examples when we asked him whether his group works with any Democratic Party officials. He said the group is dedicated to grassroots work with the Asian, specifically South Asian community and he was inspired to create it because he saw a lack of voter engagement and awareness of some basic facts about the country.

"I was so much disgusted with the attitude that, when you ask them give me the ten second time and tell me the Pledge of Allegiance of the United States, they cannot even say....Can you tell me the preamble of the United States Constitution, they cannot say?" said Mr. Alam. "Basically, the grassroots work...is educating the people. They're good people, you know, they're good, law-abiding citizens. They're good tax payers and they are well behaved."

The Free Beacon also said Mr. Alam had once been "invited" to the White House. Records show he did indeed visit the White House late last year as part of a "group tour" that included "268 other people."

Mr. Alam may not have done much official work within the Democratic Party yet, but he says he's the right man for the Missouri  Secretary of State job.

"I'm ready to be in charge of people," Mr. Alam said.

"My ability to speak clearly and forcefully on the issues has been greatly diminished by the hyper-partisan discussion of personal issues that sometimes comes from a presidential campaign," Mr. Grenell said in a statement announcing his resignation.

This story has led to a fresh batch of questions about whether or not gays and lesbians have a place in the Republican party. Mr. Grenell may have been the only openly gay person to take a prominent role on Mr. Romney's campaign, but there is a growing number of openly gay Republicans gaining prominence in the GOP.

Read on to acquaint yourself ten of the top power gay Republicans.